5 Acoustic Solutions for Your Workplace

All sounds are made by vibrations of molecules through which sound travels. The vibrations move in the air in all directions at about 786mph (speed of sound).

What happens to the sound as it moves around depends on how far the sound is from its source AND the surfaces it encounters.

Hard surfaces popular in today’s offices such as brick, concrete and glass have little absorption properties resulting in high levels of reverberation or echo.

This directly affects the acoustic comfort of a space, making it harder to concentrate and hold conversations.

When assessing the acoustics of a space we measure the reverberation time, which is the time it takes for the reflected sound to dissipate once the source of the sound has stopped and is measured as RT60.

Knowing the RT60 of a room is crucial for architects and interior designers, especially in today’s environments where over 50% of offices are large, open-plan spaces and where four in five people consider noise in their offices to be distracting.

In order to reduce reverberation times within a given space there are three approaches you can take, often called the ABC of acoustics.

A – Absorption

B – Blocking

C – Covering

Acoustic Zoning

Creating different zones within a space is a great way of using a space efficiently, allowing you to clearly define different areas allowing people choice and flexibility over where they work, depending on the task and their personality style.

In the post-pandemic workplace, suspended screens are also a useful tool to help make people feel safe in their environment, which is a key driver for people returning to the office.

Lull suspended acoustic screens are a simple way to implement zoning as well as introduce some visual interest. The screens can be easily hung to ceilings and act as floating room dividers, creating privacy and acoustic comfort.

The screens are created in the UK from 60% recycled PET which can itself be upcycled and recycled, making them a great sustainable option.With an array of nature-inspired designs as well as geometric patterns and bespoke options it’s never been easier to inject some creativity into office spaces.

Acoustic Ceilings

Ceilings play an important role in managing acoustic comfort but they are often left behind when it comes to creativity. There is a wide range of exciting acoustic ceiling treatments available that are not only functional but visually interesting too.

Acoustic baffles such as Breeze are an ideal solution for managing reverberation across large open-plan spaces, designed to be hung vertically they are available in different sizes, shapes and colours to suit any design and complement your branding.

For something more unique, BreezeSense printed ceiling baffles feature high resolution realistic wood and concrete effects and are an ideal alternative for projects that want the look of hard surfaces whilst improving noise and reverberation.

Further options for acoustic ceiling treatments include Aurora ceiling rafts and Grid ceiling lattices. Aurora rafts can be cut to different shapes and sizes creating striking ceilings even in the smallest of spaces.

For added creative flexibility Grid acoustic lattices are a good option, especially for meeting rooms which can present challenges when it comes to managing acoustics.

Installing a Grid lattice above a conference table will help to absorb the noise and reduce echo and noise transference, which is crucial during confidential meetings.

Acoustic Surfaces

Acoustic surfaces come in all shapes and sizes and acoustic wall coverings are a great way of enhancing the acoustic comfort of a space as well as making a visual impact.

If you’re looking to connect your space to nature then Öra Mural wall coverings are ideal – featuring super high-resolution landscape images, they are designed to be seen at large-scale and are a great way to introduce biophilic design elements to your space.

Not every space has big windows with a great view of the outdoors but installing an Öra Mural wall covering, will give every wall a view.

Brick, concrete, marble and wood are very popular in many of today’s commercial interior spaces but these hard surfaces have little absorption properties.

If you want the look of hard surfaces whilst improving noise and reverberation levels, you might want to consider Öra Pattern, a range of printed wall coverings available in a variety of wood, marble, concrete and brick effects, ideal to achieve that urban look without compromising on acoustics.

Other acoustic surface solutions include Tex acoustic tiles which are versatile, hard-wearing and offer complete creative flexibility over design and layout. And if you’re looking to match existing soft-furnishings and upholstery then TYG fabric-wrapped panels are ideal.

Acoustic surfaces offer a creative option to really make an impact in a space whilst creating acoustic comfort, reducing stress and helping people to feel calm – something that’s going to be incredibly important once we return to the office post-COVID.

Acoustic Furniture

The furniture choices you make for a space will have a huge impact on how the space is used and how people respond and engage with it. With many people working from home over the past year, how you entice them back to the office will need careful consideration.

Delivering choice and flexibility will be key, as will making people feel safe in the office again. Modular furniture that can be configured differently depending on changing needs will ensure space is used efficiently.

DIFFUSE acoustic furniture is a good solution if you want to create agile spaces that allow for both focussed work and collaboration & ideation, shown below.

From single-desk options like WorkBox, and small-team spaces such as Diffuse X through to Diffuse Duo two-person meeting space, you can configure the range to facilitate agile and hybrid working, allowing people choice over where they work depending on their needs.

The flexible, modular design of Diffuse screens makes them ideal for larger, open-plan and co-working spaces allowing you to create a space within a space enhancing privacy and reducing distractions from others.

The unique curved screen design of the range not only absorbs noise effectively but enhances the feeling of being protected and safe, all of which contribute to increased wellbeing in the workplace.

Acoustic Art and Decoration

Art in the workplace is a great way of expressing the personality, values and culture of your organisation and what better way to create a dynamic and engaging work environment than with a few well-chosen works of art.

For an added benefit you can combine art with acoustics and install works of art printed on acoustic felt that have a Class A acoustic rating.

This option works well in meeting rooms, reception areas and foyers, where making a great first impression is important but where noise can be distracting.

Could Your Office Design Benefit from Acoustic Solutions?

We love creating amazing office’s with acoustic features so workspaces can be used more efficiently.

As one of the leading interior design and fit out companies in the UK, we have a team of interior designers who have transforming workplaces since 1988 and would love to help introduce acoustic solutions for your office design.

Call 0333 600 1234 to speak with one of the team or fill out the form below to receive a call back to discuss your workplace design project in more detail.